Meeting Minutes

Wednesday January 5, 2022

The meeting was virtual due to COVID-19 concerns

 

Attendees:

Gabrielle Oldham             Michael Morgan

Kathie Jarmon                   Katie Kranich

John Bennett                     Anne Hairston-Strang

Rob Feldt                             Ron Anderson

 

Gabrielle brought the meeting to order at 6:06PM and introduced Katie as an arborist at UD. 

The minutes from the December meeting were read and John motioned to accept the minutes and Kathie seconded.  The minutes were approved with no corrections.

John stated he would be happy to do the Treasurer’s Report as Tom had retired, and commented about the CD’s.  The 12 month CD maturing on 12/17/2021 for $7,511.00 was rolled over for another term.  Rob has been added to the account temporarily, until a full time Forester is hired in Cecil to serve as the boards Exec. Secretary.

Treasurer’s Report

John reported on current financial status.  Board discussed available funds and future necessary expenditures.

Maryland Forest Service Update: Anne Hairston-Strang, Acting Director/State Forester

Anne thanked the board for having her this evening, and is pleased to share an update.  She shared a presentation which highlighted the following:

·         MFS has 13% staff turnover this year alone—mostly due to retirements.

·         She remarked that filling vacancies should be easier as the state had temporarily lifted a hiring freeze.

·         She reviewed many of the MFS accomplishments in 2021

·         Pointed out that MFS had to adjust for COVID-19 and continue providing services.

·         Talked about the Economic Adjustment Strategy (EAS).

·         She provided insight into how the MFS will work toward the Five Million Trees goal, enacted by recent legislation.

·         The Family Forest Carbon Program now available in western Maryland counties.

·         Carbon modeling

·         Riparian Restoration

Gabrielle had questions about the Five Million Trees implementation, specifically where trees from the program could be planted.  Anne explained the funding and that there is flexibility and the MFS is planning how to implement it.  There was brief discussion about the Luke Mill and what could be done for the area to mitigate it’s loss.

Big Tree Program Update:

John gave the report, which is available in a separate document.  John wonders if the intern program could be expanded.

In Cecil, Dori, Katie and John re-measured 2 trees and measured 2 new trees on 12/11/21.  BT-2299 is the silver maple in Eder Park, Elkton, and is the new State champion silver maple at 414 points, surpassing the former State Champion in Howard County at 404 points.  BT-3943, dawn redwood, is the new Cecil County champion at 243 points.  We have a newly nominated yellow poplar to measure in Earleville when the Board is able to schedule a visit.

John said there are eight trees that need to be re-measured in Cecil this year, but one is dead—the county champion butternut in Elk Neck State Forest.

Statewide Big Tree Report—John is getting questions from landowners that aren’t Big Tree related, and often deal with large trees needing to be taken down, and landowners are asking what to do?  People are also calling to ask how to find trees.  John also reviewed the volunteer list. Twenty-two (22) new trees and 12 re-measurements were completed by 15 different volunteers in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Cecil and Harford.  In Carroll County Board member Geary Schwemmer and Public School administrator Bryon Shumaker have created an intern program in the public schools and with McDaniel College whereby students sign the appropriate forms and volunteer to assist Geary in measuring trees.  Below is a photo of two of them next to the new Carroll County champion shagbark hickory at Hashawa Environmental Center.

Katie asked Anne Hairston-Strang if treatments for Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) would be possible, and Anne said no, but would support standing-up a forest health fund.

John also talked about funding woes and any possible solution.

NRCC Report:

Gabrielle said they already have applicants for NRCC this year, and that the Safety Plan will be updated to include DNR staff.  She is hoping for more students as vaccines are available now, and protocols are established.  She reports that the Maryland Association of Environmental and Outdoor Education (MAEOE) conference is virtual this year, unfortunately.

Website Update:

·         December meeting minutes have been added.

·         Three trees were added to the page for Cecil Champions.

Old Business:

John checked with county schools and confirmed that unless teachers are doing a tree-related curriculum at the same time the poster contest is seeking entries, then they cannot participate, and they cannot include an announcement.  There was a question as to whether this could be coordinated somehow?  Ron asked if it was possible to find out when such curriculum was being taught?  John felt someone could ask that of the school system.  Perhaps posters could be created by students, and submitted for the next poster contest, etc.

New Business:

Ron is seeing lots of dead ash in the woods.

John says Forest Legacy is moving very slowly.

A letter to the County Executive requesting financial support for the board was discussed.  The board members are not optimistic such a letter would be successful.  Anne suggested  listing opportunities or needs. There was general agreement that reaching out to Brian Lightner in the Planning office could be an in-road. 

There was some talk about planting projects, and Ron says he can speak to the mayor of Elkton about opportunities.

The meeting was adjourned approximately 8:30.

The next meeting will be held on February 2nd at 6PM.